San Sebastian is one of Northern Spain’s top tourist destinations just a few miles from France in the Bay of Biscay, Spain’s mountainous Basque Country. You can spend sunny days on sandy beaches, evening strolls through the quaint Old Town, savory cuisine and cultural attractions. After a sweltering day in the sun, you can sit back with a drink and an artistic pintxo and expierence the lively ambience around you.
TOP 8 PLACES TO VISIT
1.BUEN PASTOR CATHEDRAL
As a towering landmark the 75-meter cathedral’s construction started in 1888. The Gothic Revival style cathedral is considered as the most important church in San Sebastian. The cathedral is being praised by visitors for its simple interior. Visitors are recommended to visit it at night because of the spectacular lighting.
2.AQUARIUM-SEA PALACE
The aquarium originally started in 1928 as a museum featuring a whale skeleton. Considered as one of the best aquariums in Europe where visitors can get up close and personal with marine life. The aquarium is consists of several aquariums, some devoted to specific marine animals. A highlight is walking through a see-through tunnel with 200 species of marine life swimming over and around visitors. Visiting the aquarium makes a good family outing since it has special tanks where kids are encouraged to touch the fish.
3.PLAZA DE LA CONSTITUCION
Old Town’s Plaza de la Constitucion is the happeningest place in San Sebastian. Described as the city’s nerve center, draws people all the time, but especially on saints’ feast days and other holidays, such as the raising of the flag on January 20. Travelers should be on the lookout for numbers above windows facing the square. The square was once a popular bull-fighting venue; the numbers mark spectators’ seats. Built in 1817 after a fire nearly destroyed the city four years earlier, visitors can find shops and cafes where they can linger over a glass of wine.
4.MIRAMAR ROYALE PALACE
The palace was constructed in the late 19th century on a designed by an English architect. The Royal family used it as there summer holiday home. Located on the shores of La Concha Bay the palace was designed by an English architect. The palace had many owners, but today it belonged to the city of San Sebastian. The palace is open to the public as a park and party-venue; classes also are held here.
5.PEINE DEL VIENTO
As one of the most visited attractions in San Sebastian, The Peine del Viento, or Comb of the Wind, is a unique sculpture, located at the end of Ondarreta beach. The tree 10-ton steel sculpture that are embedded in rocks are considered the best work of Basque sculptor Eduardo Chillida’s. The holes in the pieces make noise when the wind passes through them. The sculpture has been overlooking Concha Bay since 1976.
6.MUSEUM DE SAN TELMO
Devoted to the cultural heritage of the Basque country, the museum occupies the Renaissance-era buildings of a 16th century convent in the Old Town. An overview of Basque culture, the diverse collection is presented in different departments such as fine arts, history, archaeology, and ethnology are on display. Also on exhibit is a fine arts collection wide a array of paintings, drawings, engravings, and sculptures. An extensive collection of coins, ceramics, and pre-Columbian artifacts are on display in the archaeology department. Unique weapons from the 15th century to the present day are on display in the history department.
7.EUREKA MUSEUM OF SCIENCE
Formerly known as Kutxaespacio, the museum belongs to the Kutxa community program. The museum is located in the Miramón technology park. Both children and adults can learn new things about science by interacting with the many devices and objects available in its different rooms. At the permanent exhibit called Hipatia section, visitors will find a lot of units to interact with, touch, text… It is the best way for the little ones to learn while playing. The Planetarium is considered one of the best in Spain and offers 142 seats from which you can watch projections of astronomical events in real time or else something recreational like an immersion film. The museum offers the electricity show, an astronomical observatory placed in a 30 metres high tower or a roller-coaster simulator, outside miniatures of iconic buildings in San Sebastián and Guipúzcoa, as well as a botanic garden.
8.BASILICA OF SANTA MARIA
In the heart of the Old Town on the foot of Monte Urgull you will find the 18th century Baroque church. The basilica was built on the site of an ancient Roman temple. The basilica has a Churrigueresco facade with a statue of Saint Sebastian in a niche and two towers. The sanctuary features impressive pillars and neo-Gothic vaulting.
OTHER PLACES TO SEE
- Playa de la Zurriola
- Monte Igueldo
- Parte Vieja
- La Concha
- Isla de Santa Clara
- Parque de Aiete
- Playaa de Ondarreta
- Parque de Astracciones de Monte Igueldo
- Peria del Oceano
- Paseo de la Concha
- Alameda del Boulevard
- Zurriola Beach
- Victoria Eugenia Theatre
- San Vicente
- Consitution Square
- The New Promenade
- Igueldo Moutain
- The Kursaal
- San Telmu Museum
- Monte Urgull & Monte Ulia
The best way to get around economical is by Pesa Bus. Other ways of transport include: bikes, taxis and car rentals.
The best time to visit San Sebastian is from May to July - these months offer the best temperatures.
